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Vol. XXII, No. 3
121
explorer through the Jaina epigraphs and other relics that have survived to the present day at modern Koppal after the devastating activities of the hostile elements.
Allusions to go as a Jaina ata par excellence are found in many inscriptions at sparer datant, one of which refers to its immense wealth of Jaina temples11. An inscription in the Shimoga district1: extols it as "distinguished among the millions of Jaina sacred places". Kopana is mentioned as Koppam in the inscription of the Tamil country which testify to its sanctity and eminence. This sacred place maintained its reputation for nearly one thousand years, from the seventh to the sixteenth century, after which period it passed under a spell of oblivion, as
Let us now proceed to staru datter itself. This Jaina centre is famous on account of the monolithic colossus of the epic personage बाहुबलि, popularly known as गोम्मटेश्वर, carved out of rock and perched on the top of a hill. This wonder of the world is the creation of चामुण्डराय, minister and general of the western Ganga ruler राजमल्ल (circa 983 A.D.). The story and legend associated with the erection of this unique image are graphically narrated in an inscription at श्रवण बेलगोला thus:
“The emperor Bharata, son of grea caused to be made near Paudanapura an image, 525 bows high, resembling the form of the victorious-armed agafa fast. After the lapse of a long time, a world-terrifying mass of innumerable as having sprung up in the region near that Jina, that enemy of sin obtained the name stras. Afterwards that region became invisible to the common people, though seen even now by many skilled in spells and charms.
On hearing from people of the celebrated supernatural power of that Jina, a desire arose in his (i.e. chamundaraya's) mind to see Him; when he prepared himself to go, he was told by his preceptors that the region of that city was distant and inaccessible; whereupon, saying in that case I will cause to be made an image of that god, The (i e, nestra) had this god made. Combining in himself learning, purity of faith, power, virtuous conduct, liberality and courage, the moon of the Ganga family, THCS, was celebrated in the world. Was it not that king's matchless power viz. TOUTO alias TC, an equal of Mapu, that thus caused this god to be made with a great effort ?”.
The image tb'us created has combined in itself the unsurpassed
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